Molecular cloning and expression of thermostable glucose-tolerant ß-glucosidase of Penicillium funiculosum NCL1 in Pichia pastoris and its characterization.

A partial peptide sequence of ß-glucosidase isoform (Bgl4) of Penicillium funiculosum NCL1 was identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The cDNA (bgl4) encoding Bgl4 protein was cloned from P. funiculosum NCL1 RNA by consensus RT-PCR. The bgl4 gene encoded 857 amino acids that contained catalytic domains specific for glycoside hydrolase family 3. The cDNA was over-expressed in Pichia pastoris KM71H and the recombinant protein (rBgl4) was purified with the specific activity of 1,354.3 U/mg. The rBgl4 was a glycoprotein with the molecular weight of ~130 kDa and showed optimal activity at pH 5.0 and 60 °C. The enzyme was thermo-tolerant up to 60 °C for 60 min. The rBgl4 was highly active on aryl substrates with ß-glucosidic, ß-xylosidic linkages and moderately active on cellobiose and salicin. It showed remarkably high substrate conversion rate of 3,332 and 2,083 µmol/min/mg with the substrates p-nitrophenyl ß-glucoside and cellobiose respectively. In addition, the rBgl4 showed tolerance to glucose concentration up to 400 mM. It exhibited twofold increase in glucose yield when supplemented with crude cellulase of Trichoderma reesei Rut-C30 in cellulose hydrolysis. These results suggested that rBgl4 is a thermo- and glucose-tolerant ß-glucosidase and is a potential supplement for commercial cellulase in cellulose hydrolysis and thereby assures profitability in bioethanol production.

Production, purification, and characterization of a ß-glucosidase of Penicillium funiculosum NCL1.

Penicillium funiculosum NCL1, a filamentous fungus, produced significantly higher levels of ß-glucosidase. The effect of initial pH, incubation temperature, and different carbon sources on extracellular ß-glucosidase production was studied in submerged fermentation. At 30 °C with initial pH 5.0, enzyme production was increased by 48-fold upon induction with paper mill waste, as compared to commercial cellulose powder. In zymogram analysis, four isoforms of ß-glucosidases were observed with wheat bran whereas a minimum of one isoform was observed with other carbon sources. A major ß-glucosidase (Bgl3A) with the apparent molecular weight of ~120 kDa, induced by paper mill waste, was purified 19-fold to homogeneity, with a specific activity of 1,796 U/mg. Bgl3A was a monomeric glycoprotein with 29% of neutral carbohydrate content. It showed optimum activity at pH 4.0 and 5.0, optimum temperature at 60 °C, and exhibited a half-life of 1 h at 60 °C. K(m) of Bgl3A was found to be 0.057 mM with p-nitrophenyl ß-D-glucoside and V(max) was 1,920 U/mg. The purified enzyme exhibited glucose tolerance with a K(i) of 1.5 mM. Bgl3A readily hydrolyzed glucosides with ß-linkage. Bgl3A activity was enhanced (156%) by Zn²âº and was not affected by other metal cations and reagents. The supplementation of Bgl3A (5 U/mg) with Trichoderma reesei cellulase complex (5 FPU/mg) resulted in about 70% of enhanced glucose production, which emphasizes the industrial importance of Bgl3A.